Mohamed A. Eldesouky has completed his PhD at the age of 36 years from Tanta University and Postdoctoral Studies from School of Medicine, University of Tennessee, Memphis. He is the Director of oculoplasty, and ocular pathology service in Tanta University Eye Hospital. He has published more than 25 papers in reputed journals.

Neuro-Ophthalmology

Tatiana Shilova is the head of the "Dr. Shilova Clinics" and the founder of the Russian branch of an international chain "SMILE EYES", the clinical expert of the company "Carl Zeiss" in cataract surgery. Surgical activity of Professor Shilova is on average up to 200 cataracts, up to 30 vitreoretinal operations and about 100 laser operations per month, including all complex cases, cases of combined pathology and severe eye injuries. For 20 years, Dr. Shilova Tatiana combines clinical work with teaching activities – she works as a clinical Professor and training surgeon in cataract, vitreoretinal and refractive surgery. Member of the European Society of Cataract and Refractive Surgeons (ESCRS) and the American Academy of Ophthalmology (AAO). Russia's leading expert on laser vision correction ReLEx SMILE.

Cataract, Vitreoretinal and Refractive Surgery

She started her career as a researcher at the Institute of Neurophysiology of the CNR in Pisa directed by Prof L. Maffei, studying adult visual function. She was at University of Pennsylvania (Prof J. Sprague) and at Max-Plank Institute fur psychiatrie, Munich (prof H. Hollender). Later she became interested in the mechanism of the pre and post-natal development of the visual system. She studied the role of neurotransmitters release in collaboration with Prof L. Chalupa and environmental stress (Dr D. Protti). The main interest during the last decade is concentrated on the mechanisms involved in retinal degeneration and protection. She is enrolled in a research program in collaboration with colleagues from Università Cattolica in Rome (prof Falsini) and University of Sydney (prof J.Stone) focused on the relationship between: 1) genetic background, environmental factors and disease progression; and 2) efficacy of antioxidant/neuroprotective treatments. The most recent work is increasingly therapy-oriented. A successful clinical trial on the therapeutic effects of saffron on Age Related Macular Degeneration patients was carried out in collaboration with Prof B. Falsini at Policlinico Gemelli (università Cattolica di Roma). She was partner PI in the Telethon Project Development and application of opto-neural prosthetic devices as a therapeutic approach for Retinitis pigmentosa” coordinator prof. Lanzani- Politecnico di Milano other Partner Prof Benfenati IIT and University of Genova. She is full professor of physiology and External Collaborator NetS Laboratory Neuroscience and Brain Technologies (NBT) Fondazione Istituto Italiano di Tecnologia (IIT) Genova (Italy)

Mechanisms involved in retinal degeneration and protection

Dr. Greiner, holder of three doctoral degrees, is an ophthalmologist, physician and surgeon, optometrist, teacher and medical research scientist, who has authored over 150 publications in the scientific and medical literature, and holds six U.S. patents and corresponding foreign patents in the areas of treatment of dry eyes and the integument (skin). With extensive training as both a basic and clinical scientist, many of these publications integrate both basic sciences and clinical medicine. In his 30 years of biomedical research, Dr. Greiner has presented more than 175 scientific papers at over 110 domestic and foreign meetings. Dr. Greiner is devoted to both scientific and clinical medical research as well as to clinical medicine in the fields of ophthalmology and surgery.

The development of diagnostic and therapeutic approaches for the care of patients with diseases of the ocular surface.

Director of CEPROC Center for Eye Prosthesis and Specialized Contactology, CEPROC TECH Division of technology applied to the specialty and CEPROC FLIGHT VISION Visual training for aviation pilots.

Contactologia, manufacturer and adapter of Eye Prosthesis and Fellow Ocularist orbit implants

Bruno Wacogne is a CNRS Research Director at the FEMTO-ST Institute (UMR CNRS 6174) where he is leading the transversal axis Biom’@x concerning Sciences and Technologies for a Translational Medicine. He is also the technological coordinator of the Clinical Investigation Center of Besançon University hospital (INSERM CIC1431) where he is leading the Microsystems and Biological Qualification team. His research interests are micro technologies, optics, translational research, biological qualification and immune-combined medical devices. He is the author or co-author of nearly 200 communications and 10 patents

Micro technologies, optics, translational research, biological qualification and immune-combined medical devices

Dr. Andrei Ivanov is a Head of the Department of Optical Physics and Modern Natural Science at the ITMO University. He received his degree as a Candidate of Physical and Mathematical Sciences in 2007. Dr. Ivanov’s main fields of interest are nano-photonics, nonlinear optics, and laser cooling of solids. His current research activities focus on multiphoton transitions in the bulk and on the surface of the semiconductors of different dimensions; pre-breakdown generation of free carriers in the insulators and semiconductors caused by the ultra-short pulse laser radiation; photon avalanche effect in the semiconductors and heterostructures, and dynamical Stark effect. His research at the ITMO University has been supported by the Russian Foundation for Basic Research and the Ministry of Education and Science of the Russian Federation. He is the member of the D. S. Rozhdestvensky Optical Society and the Optical Society of America (OSA).

nano-photonics, nonlinear optics, and laser cooling of solids

Naturalized US citizen (since 1985). Goal oriented, highly motivated and creative performer with proven leadership, administrative and coaching ability, extensive project and financial management experience, team player attitude, strong analytical and planning skills, effective communications (written and verbal) and presentation skills, as well as excellent organizational, interpersonal, and negotiation capabilities. Possesses thorough and in-depth understanding of the state-of-the-art in materials, mechanical, electrical, optical, information, telecommunication, reliability and related areas of engineering, of new and emerging technologies, and a clear vision for the most promising directions in the development of applied science and engineering. Works exceptionally well in dynamic and rapidly changing environments, under pressure and in short time frames. Performs effectively across multiple organizations, companies and departments, with specialists from various disciplines and fields, and with people of different mentalities, origins, and cultural backgrounds. Good public speaker and a quick learner. Exhibits strong interest in, and possesses good knowledge of, foreign cultures, values, attitudes, and customs. Always willing to learn new things and has exceptional receptiveness to, and quick grasp of, new approaches and ideas. Has a sociable disposition and gets along well with peers, supervisors, and subordinates. Bi-lingual: English and Russian. Fluent in Ukrainian.

Photonics, Fiber Optics and Mechanics of Optical Fibers

Günter Nimtz has completed his PhD in the year 1969 from Vienna University. He is the Professor of Physics and a consultant of several Companies. He has published more than 200 papers in reputed journals and owns some patents. He was member of the supervisory board of an organic electronic materials company.

Quantum optics, Virtual particles, Photonics for information

I am a CNRS Senior Researcher at the FEMTO-ST research institute in Besançon in France and I am leading the nonlinear photonics group since 2010. I am supervising both theoretical and experimental studies of fundamental nonlinear effects that occur in optical fibers and other tiny optical waveguides (photonic crystal fibers, optical micro and nanofibers, and resonators), with the aim of investigating potential applications to ultrafast signal processing, fiber-based telecommunications, fiber lasers and optical fiber sensors. I have broad expertise in nonlinear fiber optics and related fields and I made scientific achievements in the fields of broadband fiber-based parametric amplification, pulsed and cw-pumped supercontinuum generation, high-power Raman fiber lasers, passive mode-locking of fiber lasers through dissipative four-wave mixing, and Brillouin light scattering in specialty fibers, for which I have been awarded with the Fabry-Gramont Prize from the French Optical Society. I co-authored more than 100 publications in leading scientific journals and as many conference papers I have also been the principle investigator and co-investigator of several projects funded by national and european agencies and industrial partners (Europe H2020-MSCA-ITN, French research minister, ACI and ANR, LABEX Action, Europe Interreg Program, FEDER, Franche-Comté Region, University of Franche-Comté, PRES, CEA, Alcatel-Lucent). I am working closely with a number of industrial and academic collaborators in France and abroad (ULB Bruxelles, EPFL, Lausanne, McGill University, Montreal, University of Auckland, NZ, Max Planck Institute, Erlangen, Germany, Tampere University, University of Maryland, USA,..)

• Investigation of optomechanical interactions and Brillouin scattering in optical nanofibers and microstructured fibers • Development of supercontinuum fiber sources from the ultraviolet to the mid-infrared band, • Design and development of broadband fiber optical parametric amplifiers at 1.5 µm and 1 µm, • Design and development of ultrafast fiber lasers using novel nonlinear mode-locking techniques,

Mahmoud Fallahi is a professor in the college of optical Sciences at the University of Arizona. He received his Ph.D. degree from the University of Toulouse and LAAS-CNRS, in 1988. He joined the National Research Council of Canada in 1989 and became a member of technical staff as a Research Scientist during 1992-1995. He joined the University of Arizona as an Assistant professor in 1995. His research has been extensively published in peer-reviewed scientific journals, reported in invited talks and published in international conference proceedings. He has authored or co-authored several book chapters, patents and invention disclosures. His recent research interests are in high power semiconductor lasers, tunable sources, nonlinear frequency generation, photonic integrated circuits, micro/nanofabrication, and hybrid organic-inorganic components for heterogeneous integration. He has served as Conference Chair and Program Committee member in several international conferences in the field of semiconductor lasers and integrated optics. Since August 2014 he has been with the National Science Foundation (NSF) as a Program Director of the photonics program in the ECCS Division of Engineering Directorate. As a Program Director he is promoting and managing translational research programs in the field of optics and photonics.

Field of optics and photonics

Anna Orlova is Professor of the Department of Optical Physics and Modern Natural Science at the ITMO University, Head of international research lab “Magnetically controlled nanosystems for theranostics of oncological and cardiovascular diseases”. Prof. Orlova successfully combines lecture activity with development and research of hybrid nanosystems for theranostics and sensing based on colloidal quantum semiconductor nanocrystals, magnetic nanoparticles, graphene, titanium dioxide nanocrystals, and organic molecules. She graduated with honors from the Engineering Physics Faculty of LITMO Institute (St. Petersburg) in 1997, and then received the scientific degrees of Candidate of Technical Sciences in 2003 and Doctor of Physical and Mathematical Sciences in 2016 from the same institution (now ITMO University). Since 1997 to 2006 she was junior researcher at Vavilov Optical Institute, then returned to her Alma Mater and developed there from research associate to professor (2017).

The research interests of Prof. Orlova’s group are spectroscopy and photophysics of hybrid nanosystems for theranostics and sensing based on semiconductor quantum nanocrystals, magnetic nanoparticles, graphene, titanium dioxide nanocrystals and organic molecules

Ottorino Veneri graduated in Electrical Engineering from the University of Naples 'Federico II' in 1996. By the same University in March 2000 he has been awarded his PhD in Electrical Engineering. From 1999 to 2001 he had a research grant provided by the Department of Electrical Engineering of the University of Naples 'Federico II'. Since 2002 he works as a researcher with the Istituto Motori of the National Research Council (CNR) of Italy in Naples. In recent years he has also become Full Professor at the International Telematic University UNINETTUNO. His main fields of interest are the electric drives for transportation systems, electric energy converters, electric energy storage systems, power sources with hydrogen fuel cells and hybrid propulsion architecture. He is co-author of 2 book published by Springer, 2 chapters of books and more than 60 papers published in International Journals and in proceedings of conferences. He is reviewer of various International Journals that publish material in the area of energy and power conversion, and technical reviewer of Italian Research and Development Projects. He is director of operative units at Istituto Motori within more than 10 Research National and International Projects.

Energy storage systems, hydrogen fuel cells and hybrid propulsion architecture.

Dr. Jing Bai is an Associate Professor and the Director of Graduate Studies (DGS) in Department of Electrical Engineering at the University of Minnesota Duluth (UMD). She received her Ph.D. degree in Electrical and Computer Engineering at Georgia Institute of Technology in 2007. Dr. Bai’s current research activities focus on nano-photonics, nano-photovoltaics, nonlinear optics, and nanoscale biomedical devices. Her research at UMD has been supported by the National Science Foundation (NSF), the Whiteside Institute for Clinical Research, the MN Drive Initiatives, and the Graduate School of University of Minnesota. She is a member of the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE), IEEE Women in Engineering (WIE), the Optical Society of America (OSA), and the American Physics Society (APS).

Dr. Bai’s current research activities focus on nano-photonics, nano-photovoltaics, nonlinear optics, and nanoscale biomedical devices.

Dr. Melnick earned his B.SC., Physics and Ph.D, Chemistry at McGill University and M.D. at Queen’s University. He completed his Pathology residency at Mount Sinai Medical Center, Miami Beach, FL and subsequently joined the Department of Pathology and Clinical Laboratories at Nicklaus Children’s Hospital where he serves as Department Chief. He directs research involving therapeutic development in cancer, immunology and metabolic disorders since 1999, published more than 85 papers in peer-reviewed journals and acquired intellectual property based on this research. He serves as an editorial board member of the Journal of Natural Products in Cancer Prevention and Therapy.

Pediatrics, Pathology, Cancer, Immunology and Metabolic disorders

Shinichi Hirose is the Standing Committee Member The International Pediatric Association and Professor and Chairman of Department of Pediatrics School of Medicine in Fukuoka University

Pediatrics

Kaye studied Bachelor of Science – Nursing, at Curtin University and graduated as a Registered Nurse in 2008. Kaye currently works as Registered Nurse (part-time) looking after babies under 28 days at Neonatal Department at Princess Margaret Hospital for Children, Subiaco, Perth (WA). Her previous paediatric nursing experience includes working at the Emergency Department, Gastroenterology and Immunology Departments at Princess Margaret Hospital for Children. She has also worked for Edith Cowan University as a Paediatric Clinical Facilitator. Kaye commenced at Perth Paediatrics in 2016. She brings her skills and dedicated passion of working with children, to the first multi-specialty private paediatric clinic in Western Australia

Pediatric Nursing

Marina Reznik is Associate Professor of Pediatrics at the Albert Einstein College of Medicine and a General Pediatrician and a Child Health Researcher at Montefiore Medical Center. Her research focuses on development and evaluation of community-and school-based interventions to improve the health care services and outcomes for medically underserved minority children with asthma. She teaches and mentors medical students, residents and post-doctoral students, and provides clinical care to children from 0-21 years of age. She is an author of over 60 articles, book chapters and editorials and her research has been presented both nationally and internationally.

Pediatrics

Omer Ahmed has joined The American Hospital, Dubai (in 2009), after 15 years as a Consultant Paediatrician in UK. He is a Fellow of the Royal College of Physicians of Ireland and the Royal College of Paediatrics and Child Health UK. His Paediatrics training was in Sabah Hospital- Kuwait, Alder Hay Hospital-Liverpool, Great Ormond Street and The Royal Free Hospital in London before taking a Consultant post in Stevenage, Hertfordshire UK. Earlier in his career, Dr Ahmed has worked in Sudan, Libya and Kuwait. His experience covers wide areas in Child Health as a General Paediatrician. Dr Ahmed has several publications and presented/attended in several Paediatrics meetings and conferences.

Paediatrics

Ashutosh Kumar has completed his MBBS from Manipal University, India, Residency in Pediatrics from The Brooklyn Hospital Center, New York, USA and fellowship in Pediatric Neurology from University of Alabama at Birmingham (UAB), USA. He recently started working as a Assistant Professor in the Department of Pediatrics and Neurology at Penn State Milton S Hershey Medical Center. He is involved in multiple clinical trials as a Principal Investigator in Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy.

Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy in Children

Ozuah’s background includes a medical degree from the University of Ibadan, Nigeria, and a rotating internship at the University of Nigeria Teaching Hospital. He later earned a master’s degree in Education from the University of Southern California, Los Angeles, and a PhD in Educational Leadership and Administration from the University of Nebraska-Lincoln. He obtained his pediatric internship and residency at Albert Einstein College of Medicine and Montefiore Medical Center, and his post-doctoral research fellowship in Medical Education at the University of Southern California, School of Medicine, Los Angeles. Dr. Ozuah joined the faculty of the Department of Pediatrics at Montefiore and Albert Einstein College of Medicine in 1992 and served as director of the Residency Training Program in Social Pediatrics from 1999 to 2005.

Pediatrics

S. Patricia Becerra received a Doctorate degree (Major in Biochemistry) from the University of Navarra, Spain. Her postdoctoral training was in biochemistry at the National Cancer Institute, and in molecular virology at the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, NIH, Bethesda, MD. Becerra is head of the Section of Protein Structure and Function, Laboratory of Retinal Cell and Molecular Biology, National Eye Institute, NIH. She is an author of more than 70 peer-reviewed articles, reviews and book chapters. She serves as an editorial board member and reviewer of several journals in biochemistry, molecular biology and ophthalmology.

Protein Structure and Function

Alireza Ziaei, M.D. is a recipient of numerous awards and grants including National Excellent Researchers Award and the Science Excellence Prize in Iran. Postdoctoral Fellow at Harvard Medical School, as a Research Scientist, he performs Basic Science Research at Schepens Eye Research Institute, Massachusetts Eye and Ear in Boston. Ziaei’s interest and current research focus is on corneal and ocular surface diseases and his seminal work has been recognized several times. He published and presented numerous articles in highly ranked peer–reviewed journals and conferences. Ziaei has participated as a scientific and organizing committee of several International meetings and presented at numerous international meetings, including a number of invited presentations. Ziaei is member of Association for Research in Vision and Ophthalmology (ARVO), International Society for Eye Research (ISER), Tear Film & Ocular Surface Society (TFOS). He is serving as an Executive Editor and Editorial Board member of reputed journals and scientific societies. Ziaei serves as a Reviewer of various scientific journals including the American Journal of Ophthalmology (AJO), British Journal of Ophthalmology (BJO), the Journal of Clinical and Experimental Ophthalmology, International Journal of Ophthalmic Pathology (IJOP) and the Journal of Cell Biology: Research & Therapy (CBRT).

Corneal and ocular surface diseases, mainly on the pathogenesis of Fuchs endothelial corneal dystrophy.

Bruce Gaynes holds doctorate degrees in both pharmacy and optometry as well as a graduate degree in pharmacology from the Indiana University Medical Sciences Program. He holds a joint appointment at the Department of Veteran Affairs Medical Center, Hines, IL and Loyola University Stritch School of Medicine Department of Ophthalmology, Maywood, IL.

Ophthalmic drug delivery

Kip M Connor is an Assistant Professor of Ophthalmology at Massachusetts Eye and Ear Infirmary, Harvard Medical School. He received his Ph.D. degree from Albany Medical College in 2005. Dr. Connor did his post-graduate work at Children’s Hospital Boston and Harvard Medical School, where he also obtained his first faculty position from 2005 to 2010. In 2010 Dr. Connor joined MEEIs Howe and Angiogenesis Laboratories at MEEI. Connors current research focuses on the role of immunity and inflammation using animal models of ocular diseases such as age-related macular degeneration, retinopathies (diabetic retinopathy and retinopathy of prematurity), auto-immune uveitis, retinal detachment and retinal degenerations.

Marco Attilio Eugenio Zarbin, M.D., Ph.D., F.A.C.S. received a B.A. (biochemistry) from Dartmouth College (Phi Beta Kappa, summa cum laude, with highest distinction) in 1978. He matriculated to the Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine in 1978 and entered their Medical Scientist Training Program in 1980. Zarbin was awarded degrees in medicine (M.D.) and pharmacology (Ph.D.) in 1984 and graduated from the Hopkins Medical School as a member of the Alpha Omega Alpha honor society. He completed an ophthalmology residency at the Wilmer Ophthalmological Institute, the Johns Hopkins Hospital from 1985-1988. As a resident, Zarbin was the co-recipient of the Francis S. Schwentker Award for resident research. Zarbin completed fellowships in vitreoretinal surgery and in medical retinal disease at the Wilmer Ophthalmological Institute as a Head Ophthalmic Foundation Fellow and was an Assistant Chief of Service at Wilmer in 1989. He received certification from the American Board of Ophthalmology in November 1989. From 1990-1993, Zarbin served as an Assistant Professor of Ophthalmology at the University of California, San Francisco and as Chief of the division of Ophthalmology at the Department of Veterans Affairs Medical Center, San Francisco. He was named co-director of the retinal service at UCSF in 6/93. Zarbin was appointed Chair of the Institute of Ophthalmology and Visual Science, New Jersey Medical School and Chief of Ophthalmology at University Hospital in Newark, N.J. in January 1994. He is a Professor of Ophthalmology and Neuroscience at the New Jersey Medical School and holds the Alfonse A. Cinotti, MD/Lions Eye Research Chair in the Department of Ophthalmology. Zarbin is the Editor-in-Chief of Translational Vision Science and Technology and has served an Associate Editor of Investigative Ophthalmology and Visual Science and as a member of the Editorial Board of Survey of Ophthalmology. Zarbin is a Vice Chair of the Scientific Advisory Board of the Foundation Fighting Blindness. Zarbin is an ex officio member of: 1) the board of Governors of the New Jersey Academy of Ophthalmology, and 2) the National Advisory Eye Council of the National Institutes of Health. In addition, he is a member of the American Ophthalmological Society, the Retina Society, the Macula Society, and the Vitreous Society. Zarbin is a Past President of the Board of Trustees of the Association of University Professors of Ophthalmology (AUPO) and has served as the alternate AUPO representative to the Council of the American Academy of Ophthalmology. In the past Zarbin served as a member of the Preferred Practice Pattern Committee (Retina Panel) of the American Academy of Ophthalmology, Chair of the Program Planning Committee of the American Ophthalmological Society, Chair of the Retinal Cell Biology Program Planning Committee of the Association of Research in Vision and Ophthalmology (ARVO), and Chair of the Professional Development and Education Committee of ARVO. Zarbin also has served as a member of the Visual Sciences C Study Section, Division of Research/Grants

Retinal cell transplantation

Iva Dekaris has completed her medical studies at the age of 24, PhD at 30, became Associate Professor at the age of 35 and Professor at 40. Her postdoctoral studies were both at the Schepens Eye Research Institute of Harvard Medical School (Boston, USA) and at the Ruđer Boskovic research Institute in Zagreb (Croatia). She became ophthalmic-specialist in 1999 and subspecialized in corneal and cataract surgery. From 2010 she is a President of the European Eye Bank Association (EEBA) and Medical Director of the University Eye Hospital Svjetlost. She has published 42 papers in CC journals and over 250 abstracts.

Corneal transplantation, cataract and refractive surgery,and basic and clinical medical integration in the field of corneal transplantation and anterior eye segment surgery

Ayman A. Alkawas has completed his MBBCh at the age of 23 years old from Zagazig University, Egypt. He completed his Master Degree of Ophthalmology from the same university in 1994. He completed his retina fellowship in 1998 in Michigan, USA with Associated Retinal Consultants at Beaumont hospital and Oakland University. He completed his Doctorate Degree of Ophthalmology in 1999 in Zagazig Univesristy. He is currently a Professor of Ophthalmology at Zagazig University, Egypt. He published more than 23 papers in reputed local and International journals and acted as reviewer for 5 International journals. He is an Editorial Board Member of one of the reputed journals.

Posterior segment and anterior segment fields (medical and surgical)

Timothy Duong was the winner of the ISMRM Rabi’s Young Investigator Award (1998), a NSF predoctoral fellowship (1994-1998), and a recipient of a NIH NRSA postdoctoral fellowship (1999-2001) during postdoc training at the Center of Magnetic Resonance Research at the University of Minnesota. Duong is the Stanley I Glickman Professor of Ophthalmology, Radiology and Physiology, MRI Division Chief, Assistant Director of Research of the Research Imaging Institute. Duong is a recipient of the VA Career Development Award (2007-2009) and the Established Investigator Award from the American Heart Association (2009-2014).

Speckle and optical imaging

Susumu Ishida undertook his residency in ophthalmology at Keio University Hospital after completing his medical degree at the age of 24 years. He completed fellowships in the Department of Ophthalmology at Keio University School of Medicine, and the Massachusetts Eye and Ear Infirmary at Harvard Medical School, and received a PhD from Keio University on the subject of vascular endothelial growth factor in diabetic retinopathy. Ishida is an author on over 150 scientific publications (impact factor: over 450) and currently Professor and Chairman of Ophthalmology at Hokkaido University Graduate School of Medicine in Sapporo, Japan.

The roles of VEGF in age-related macular degeneration and diabetic retinopathy

Lisa Christian graduated from Queen\\\'s University with a Bachelor of Science degree in Biochemistry in 1999, and earned a Doctor of Optometry degree from the Illinois College of Optometry in 2003. Following graduation, she completed a residency at the University of Waterloo, School of Optometry in Paediatrics and Binocular Vision. Christian is currently a Clinical Lecturer and Interim Associate Director for Clinical Programs at the University of Waterloo, School of Optometry and Vision Science. She is also Head of the Binocular Vision Clinic. Christian is the faculty liaison for the College of Optometrists in Vision Development, and has been a Committee member for the College of Optometrists in Ontario since 2006.

Optometry

Sayon Roy received his PhD from Boston University and completed his postdoctoral training at Schepens Eye Research Institute, Harvard Medical School, Harvard University. Roy is currently a professor of Medicine, Section of Diabetes, Endocrinology and Nutrition, and a professor of Ophthalmology at Boston University School of Medicine. Recognized as an expert in retinal vascular biology, Roy’s seminal work has identified several genes in the retina that are abnormally expressed in diabetic retinopathy. His pioneering work has led to novel gene modulatory techniques in retinal vascular cells using antisense oligonucleotides via intravitreal injection. Roy has received numerous awards including the American Diabetes Association Research Award for the commitment and dedication towards the fight against diabetes, the 2006 Mentor of the Year Award from Boston University, and the 2008 Innovative Award from the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation. Research in Roy’s laboratory has been funded by several organizations including the National Eye Institute, NIH, National Medical Technology Testbed, American Diabetes Association, Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation International, Fight for Sight, Research to Prevent Blindness, and the Lions Organization. Roy currently serves as a chartered member of the NEI Study Section of the National Institutes of Health.

Vascular basement membrane thickening is a prominent and characteristic lesion of diabetic retinopathy. We have hypothesized that excess synthesis of basement membrane components occurring in diabetes is a critical pathogenetic event in the development of vascular basement membrane thickening and complications of diabetic retinopathy. Having shown that the mRNA level of basement membrane components fibronectin and collagen IV are increased in diabetic retinas, our laboratory plans to reduce the synthesis of these basement membrane components by using antisense oligonucleotides, a powerful molecular biological tool that offers a unique opportunity to down regulate specific gene expression.

Yoko Ozawa M.D., Ph.D. works as a chief of the Medical Retina Division (Age-related macular disease; AMD division) and also a vitreoretinal surgeon, as well as a Lab chief of the Laboratory of Retinal Cell Biology (RCB lab). Her main research interest is the neuroprotection and oxidative stress in the retinal diseases, such as AMD (age-related macular degeneration) and diabetic retinopathy.

AMD (age-related macular degeneration) and diabetic retinopathy.

Ashli Milling is a Lecturer in Orthoptics at The University of Liverpool, UK. Ashli graduated from the University of Liverpool in 2009 with a First class honours. After graduating Ashli worked as a clinical Orthoptist in Stepping Hill Hospital, Stockport, UK for 5 years. During this time Ashli also completed a Masters of Research in Health Sciences and a Clinical Education course before taking on a full time role as a lecturer at The University of Liverpool. Currently, Ashli is in the process of studying a Masters of Learning and Teaching in Higher Education and is involved in several clinical and educational research projects alongside her teaching.

Diagnosis and non-surgical management of strabismus

Dr. Safiah Mulla is a faculty staff at the Department of Optometry, King Saud University (KSU), since 1997. She holds a BSc in Optometry from KSU (1987), an orthoptic diploma and an MSc in Clinical Vision Science from Dalhousie University (2000 – 2007). From 1990 to 1997, she was running an Optometry clinic at Security Forces Hospital, Outpatient Department. Dr. Safiah held many leadership positions such as a Board Member for the Saudi Association of Optometry as well as a Member of the Canadian orthoptic society. Currently, she is the university rector' advisor for Maintenance and Operating Affairs, for Female Campus.

Pediatric vision screening, Amblyopia, Strabismus managements, Orthoptic and Refraction.

Director and Vitreoretinal Consultant at Oftalmo Abad, Clínica de Ojos, Santa Cruz, Argentina. Ambassador at UNESCO for Argentina. Board of Research Advisor at Sastra Angkor University, the Kingdom of Cambodia. Academic Representative in Argentina and worldwide, California University FCE, California, USA. President, International Research Group, Abad Eye Research, Ballsbridge University, Distinguished University Professor and Chairman of Ophthalmology at Ballsbridge University, Roseau, Dominica and Republic of Ghana. Honorable Global Member Council of the Board of Quality Standards, Ireland, UK. Doctor of Philosophy (PhD.) as a researcher, International Philosophical Institute, India. Doctor of Letters (D. Litt) in Medical Research, Maha Sastra University, Sastra Angkor Institute, The Kingdom of Cambodia. Doctor of Sciences (DSC) in Ophthalmology “ad eundem” (education and practice in Ophthalmology), Ballsbridge University, Roseau, Commonwealth of Dominica. Honorary Fellow, Institute the Chartered Professionals (optics researcher), Ireland, UK. Doctor of Sciences Award, (DSC) Research Training & Treatment Institute, Jodhpur, India.

Eye Biotechnology and Ocular Nanomedicine Stem Cells.

Dr. Edna Joyce Santos has been a dedicated ophthalmologist for the past 28 years. She has recently joined in Department of Ophthalmology, Al Khalayleh Medical Center at United Arab Emirates. She has recently been awarded Global Goodwill Ambassador for the UAE for her Humanitarian projects. She is also a published author and her book, "Are You Crazy?” is published in Amazon. She also co-authored a book with Jack Canfield entitled "Success Mastery". She is also a member of the National Society of Expert Writers and Speakers in the United States. She was Past-President of the Southern Tagalog Society of Ophthalmology and Past-President of the Philippine Medical Women's Association. She is an international reviewer for a lot of Ophthalmological journals and has been invited as an international speaker in different conferences abroad. She is also a member of the board of advisors and consultant to several companies, namely, YGB Hybrid Currency, Wefsech Ocean Nexus Solutions, Engrid Solutions, ELV Solutions, Laurel Resources International, Sheema Africa Safaris and Saccadic Suites, a comprehensive eye examination in Telemedicine in Ophthalmology.

Ophthalmology

Dr. Bader Tarek Toffaha MD, Ph.D., Consultant Ophthalmologist working at Royal Bahrain Hospital in the Kingdom of Bahrain. He finished his training in Ophthalmology in the Egyptian fellowship board program. He made the subspecialties of Cornea, Refractive and Cataract Surgery in Vissum Corporación Oftalmológica in Alicante, Spain with Prof.Jorge Alio for a period of two years. After that, he joined the Ophthalmology department of Bahrain Defence Force Hospital. Dr.Toffaha obtained his doctorate Ph.D. in Refractive surgery with a degree of honor from Ophthalmology division, Miguel Hernandez University. Spain.H e is a co-author in many international research studies and book chapters in the field of cornea and refractive surgery. He is a member of the Spanish Society of Cataract and Refractive surgery(SECOIR).

Cornea, Refractive and Cataract Surgery